Evaluation of Obesity Influence in the Sexual Function of Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective The incidence of obesity, which is a chronic condition, has increased in recent years. The association between obesity and female sexual dysfunction remains unclear, particularly in postmenopausal women. In the present study, we evaluated whether obesity is a risk factor for sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women. Methods This is a cross-sectional study that analyzed data from interviews of postmenopausal women at the Climacteric Outpatient Clinic from 2015 to 2018. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 221 women aged between 40 and 65 years old were selected and invited to participate in the study. Obesity was diagnosed according to body mass index (BMI). The participants were grouped into the following BMI categories: group 1, 18.5–24.9 kg/m2 (normal); group 2, 25.0–29.9 kg/m2 (overweight); and group 3, ≥30.0 kg/m2 (obese). Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Cutoff points of ≥23 and ≥26.5 were adopted to define a diagnosis of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, Text Revision by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV-TR). Results The desire and arousal scores were statistically higher in the normal BMI group than in the obese group (p = 0.028 and p = 0.043, respectively). The satisfaction scores were statistically higher in the normal BMI group than in the overweight and obese groups (p < 0.05). The total FSFI score statistically differed among the BMI categories (p = 0.027). Conclusion In the present study, obese and overweight postmenopausal women had higher total scores than women with normal BMI. Our results show that obese and overweight postmenopausal women had a higher index of dysfunction in desire and arousal and lower sexual satisfaction than normal-weight women.

Female sexuality across the menopausal age group: A cross sectional study

“…In our study, no significant difference was noted for female sexuality with BMI. Unlike ours, Dutra da Silva et al in their cross sectional study of 221 females of age 40–65 years found that compared to normal-weight women, obese and overweight postmenopausal women reported a higher index of sexual dysfunction in arousal and desire domains [21] .…”

The global prevalence of sexual dysfunction in obese and overweight women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Regarding the studies presented in Table 1 , the highest reported prevalence of sexual dysfunction among obese women was 86% in a study conducted by Yaylali et al in 2010 in Turkey [ 18 ]. In overweight women, the highest prevalence was reported as 57.1% in a study conducted by Silva et al in 2019 in Brazil [ 21 ]. Conversely, the lowest prevalence of sexual dysfunction among obese women was reported as 12.8% in a study conducted by Erenel et al in 2013 in Turkey [ 22 ].…”

Relationship between weight-adjusted-waist index and erectile dysfunction in the United State: results from NHANES 2001-2004

“…Moreover, obesity is also closely related to female sexual dysfunction. A cross-sectional study indicated that obesity was associated with an elevated likelihood of dysfunction in desire and arousal and reduced sexual satisfaction in postmenopausal females ( 31 ). Werlinger et al.…”